Cutting unit cover

Abstract

A plastic cover for a rotary deck. A preferred cover (54a) is connected to a wing deck (28a) by magnetic latches and mechanical securing means. The magnetic latches preferably include magnets (69) connected to the deck and magnetic plates (66) fixed to the underside of the deck cover (54a). The mechanical securing means preferably includes a pair of pins (70) extending upwardly from the deck proximate magnets (69), wherein the deck cover (54a) forms a pair of apertures (72) for receiving pins (70). Pins (70) and apertures (72) prevent horizontal or shearing motion of deck cover (54a) relative to deck (28a), whereas the magnetic latches prevent vertical movement of cover (54a) relative to deck (28a). Hooks (64) or a flange (73) can be used to secure one of the edges of cover (54a), as well.

I claim: 
     
       1. A harvesting device cutting unit comprising: (a) a cutting element;   (b) a frame for rotatably supporting the cutting element;   (c) a plastic cover for the cutting element frame;   (d) first means for securing the cover to the frame in a first direction comprising means for magnetically securing the cover to the frame; and   (e) second means for securing the cover to the frame in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the first direction is substantially vertical and the second direction is substantially horizontal, and wherein: (i) the cover comprises first and second edges;   (ii) the magnetic securing means of the first securing means comprises a magnet connected to the frame and a magnetic element connected to the first edge of the cover, wherein when the cover is connected to the frame, the magnet acts upon the magnetic element to assist in downwardly drawing the first edge of the cover against the frame;   (iii) the first securing means further comprises first mechanical means for downwardly holding the second edge of the cover against the frame; and   (iv) the second securing means comprises second mechanical means for engaging the first edge of the cover and preventing horizontal movement of the cover relative to the frame.     
     
     
       2. The cutting unit of claim 1, wherein the first mechanical means comprises a hook for engaging a hook aperture proximate the second edge of the cover. 
     
     
       3. The cutting unit of claim 1, wherein the first mechanical means comprises a flange for engaging the second edge of the cover. 
     
     
       4. A rotary cutting unit comprising: (a) a rotary blade;   (b) a deck for rotatably supporting the rotary blade;   (c) a rotomolded plastic cover for the deck, the cover having first and second lateral edges;   (d) magnetic latches for fixing the first lateral edge of the deck cover vertically with respect to the deck;   (e) hooks for vertically securing the second lateral edge of the deck cover, the hooks being connected to the deck and the deck cover forming apertures suitable for receiving the hooks; and   (f) pins extending upwardly from the deck for preventing horizontal or lateral movement of the deck cover relative to the deck, the pins being received by pin apertures formed by the deck cover proximate its first lateral edge.   
     
     
       5. A harvesting device cutting unit comprising: (a) a cutting element;   (b) a frame for rotatably supporting the cutting element;   (c) a plastic cover for the cutting element frame;   (d) first means for downwardly securing the cover to the frame comprising a magnetic latch; and   (e) second means for laterally securing the cover to the frame, wherein: (i) the cover comprises first and second edges;   (ii) the magnetic latch comprises a first magnetic element connected to the frame and a second magnetic element connected to the first edge of the cover, wherein when the cover is connected to the frame, the first magnetic element is in direct contact with and acts upon the second magnetic element to assist in downwardly drawing the first edge of the cover against the frame;   (iii) the first securing means further comprises means for downwardly holding the second edge of the cover against the frame; and   (iv) the second securing means comprises mechanical means for engaging the first edge of the cover and preventing lateral movement of the cover relative to the frame.     
     
     
       6. The cutting unit of claim 5, wherein the second edge downward holding means comprises a hook connected to the frame, wherein the hook engages a hook aperture formed by the second edge of the cover. 
     
     
       7. The cutting unit of claim 5, wherein the second edge downward holding means comprises a flange connected to the frame, wherein the flange engages the second edge of the cover. 
     
     
       8. The cutting unit of claim 5, wherein the first magnetic element comprises a permanent magnet and the second magnetic element comprises a magnetic plate connected to the cover. 
     
     
       9. A harvesting device cutting unit comprising: (a) a cutting element;   (b) a frame for rotatably supporting the cutting element;   (c) a plastic cover for the cutting element frame, the cover having a generally flat top portion;   (d) first means for downwardly securing the cover to the frame comprising a magnetic latch; and   (e) second means for laterally securing the cover to the frame, wherein: (i) the cover comprises first and second edges;   (ii) the magnetic latch comprises a first magnetic element connected to the top of the frame and a second magnetic element connected to the first edge of the cover, on the underside of the top portion thereof, wherein when the cover is connected to the frame, the first magnetic element acts upon the second magnetic element to assist in downwardly drawing the first edge of the cover against the frame;   (iii) the first securing means further comprises means for downwardly holding the second edge of the cover against the frame; and   (iv) the second securing means comprises mechanical means for engaging the first edge of the cover and preventing lateral movement of the cover relative to the frame.